Weekend Action!

Saturday finally turned out to be a calm day. But of course that happened to be a day that I had on hold for a day off. Well when the weather is right what do you do but go fishing. I took my wife Cyd out for the afternoon. We hoped for a Sailfish but with the calm conditions they were not feeding.

As we drifted over a wreck catching a few Lane Snapper for dinner King Mackerel started skyrocketing our sailfish baits. I quickly rigged up wire traces and as fast as Cyd could cast a bait she was hooking nice Kings.  We had a nice  Busman's Holiday.

Cyd Nielsen caught this 21lb King Mackerel
on a Permit Trek - Diablo 550 combo

On Sunday Eric Perry and Bill Martin joined me for a day of backcountry fishing. Eric vacations here every year and lives in the UK. Bill was down from Pennsylvania.
We fished an area called First National Bank near Cape Sable. Using Rage Ultralight tackle and Fox Bonefish Trek rods paired with Diablo 350 reels we jigged up Ladyfish, Bluefish and Jack Crevalle. We put some of these on ice and in the livewell as Eric wanted a big fish...

catching Shark bait was a hoot using the
Bonefish Trek - Diablo 350 combos

Our next stop was the Springhole. This is a depression in the limestone bottom which drops off to over 20 feet deep in an area where depths rarely exceed 10 feet. It is one of my favorite spots to find large fish.

It wasn't long before Bill caught and released a Goliath Grouper using the Fox Trek Boatrod XT. This is the tool you need to catch the big ones. We use an EOS reel spooled with Fox Horizon 65lb braid. The beauty of this rod it is a 4 piece and you can take it with you anywhere in your suitcase.

Bill used the  Fox Trek Boatrod XT paired with the
EOS 50 reel to haul in Goliath Groupers

Bill about to release a Goliath Grouper

We jumped off a Tarpon next so I rigged up a Sailfish Trek - Diablo 750 combo with a mono trace hoping to catch another Tarpon but a big Blacktip Shark ate the bait and a half hour battle ensued. Eric enjoyed that.

Eric Perry's Blacktip Shark takes another run under the boat.
The Fox 8 foot Sailfish Trek rod is incredibley tough

Eric landed this Blacktip Shark with a bad
attitude on the Sailfish Trek rod and Diablo 750 reel

In the next hour we spent all our time fighting 2 big Bull Sharks which we saw in the water but both managed to chew through the leaders as they thrashed about.

Bill battles a big Bull Shark that eventually
got away but we got some good looks

Wore out on the big ones I took the boys into East Cape Canal.

Bill admires his first ever Redfish

Bill and Eric with a large Sheepshead  pictured with the
Rage Ultraligjht rod and Diablo 350 spinning reel

Eric Perry is using a Fox Rage Ultralight rod and Diablo 350
spinning reel filled with Fox Horizon 10lb braid
to battle a huge Black Drum

Great catch for Eric Perry this estimated 20lb Black Drum

Bill was hoping to bring home a fish dinner. Eric caught an outstanding Black Drum on a Rage Ultralight - Diablo 350 combo. Sheepshead and Redfish were also caught. Bill did not go hungry.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Television Action

Roland Martin gave me a call last week and we arranged to go fishing aboard his boat on Wednesday. Roland does a weekly television show shown on Versus network an affiliate of NBC sports. I gently asked Roland if he would mind if I brought along my Fox Sport Fishing tackle for the episode and he agreed. I was a little worried we might upset his sponsors but he said it would be fine.

We wanted Shark action. Our first stop was to catch bait and nothing is a better shark bait than a Spanish Mackerel.

With the camera rolling we used Bonefish Trek rods and Diablo 350 reels for this action. We also used the new Fox Cellmax flyreel and Trek 9 weight flyrod. Needless to say Roland had a fine time and loved the tackle.

Roland Martin puts a hurtin' on this Blacktip Shark

We then proceeded to a spot further to the west where I hoped the sharks would be. To really show the action I flew a kite from which we suspended a butterflied mackerel for bait.

Roland Martin uses Fox Sport Fishing Tackle for his
television show  our cameraman was Jason South

we used Fox Sport Fishing tackle to film a TV show
on catching Sharks using a kite

using a kite with a bait suspended on the surface we got some
incredible shots of Sharks coming in and taking the baits

For Shark tackle we used the new Fox EOS reels. 30's and 50's. On the 30 we matched it with a Tarpon Spincast Trek rod and on the 50 we used the Trek Boatrod XT. Our cameraman Jason South got some incredible action shots of the Blacktip Sharks getting the scent and rushing about then honing in on the bait. I was able to postion the bait 25 feet off the stern of the boat. Fishing for Sharks in Florida Bay using a kite is full on sight fishing and very exciting. We released at least a half dozen sharks and the crew said they will have a great show.

Roland Martin has his hands full battling a Blacktip Shark
using Fox EOS reels and Tarpon Spincast travel rods

Roland Martin was very impressed with the
Fox Sport Fishing EOS reels and Tarpon Spincast Travel rods

Watch for this episode in the new year on Versus TV. Fishing With Roland Martin.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Everglades, Backcountry and Offshore in 3 days

This week I had the pleasure of fishing with Doctors Liz and Mark Harris. They are visiting Islamorada from the Isle of Man in the UK, Both are competitve fisherman and knowledgable birdwatchers.

We spent day one running into the Everglades National Park creeks and bays over on the Florida mainland. A very interesting day in which we viewed Crocodiles and many birds. We had some excellent fishing as well. We made our first stop at Middle Cape Sable and fishing off the beach, we caught Black Drum and Redfish. Liz and Mark were awed by the raw beauty of the place.

A Crocodile slips into the  creek

Fishing from the beach at Middle Cape Sable
Mark caught Black Drum

Redfish were along the beach as well.
We used Rage Ultralight rods and
Bonefish Trek rods fitted with Diablo 350 spinning reels

We then travelled into Little Sable Creek where plenty of Sheepshead, Redfish, Seatrout and Ladyfish were caught. For all this action we used Fox Bonefish Trek Travel rods and Diablo 350 spinning reels. We also used the Fox Rage brand Ultralight rods.



We then travelled into Little Sable Creek where plenty of
Sheepshead, Redfish, Seatrout and Ladyfish were caught.

One of the bigger Redfish taken this day by Liz

Mark brought along his own Bonefish Trek rod on this visit which he used on the days that I did not take him out. He did well down at Long Key with Bonnet Head Sharks and Barracuda on his own, He loves his new Trek Rod. Later in the day we fished in East Cape Canal where we got into a good bite of Black Drum and a fabulous bite of No See Um's. Yep ... We had to leave this spot, the bugs were a bit much. The wind had died down and a couple light showers had brought them out. A really good day though.

Liz got more than she wanted with a Stingray. the
Fox Rage Ultralight rod and Diablo 350 reel were put to the test and won!

Day 2 we headed offshore on my 28' boat "First Growth" named after a favorite vineyard of the owner. We were hoping to find a Sailfish or two. Bait fishing was fun. Using the Rage Ultralights we jigged up Blue Runners for kite baits and brought in a few Cero Mackerel as well.

Cero Mackerel caught by Liz Harris near Alligator Lighthouse
on a Rage Ultralight - Diablo 350 combo

After a few hours of slow trolling and no sails in sight I decided to anchor down along the reef edge. This proved to be a great move. Flying a kite with 2 blue runners for bait on the EOS 30 reels paired with the Tarpon Spincast Trek rods and fishing live Ballyhoo on the outriggers on Permit Trek rods paired with Diablo 550 spinning reels we stayed very busy this afternoon. Large False Albacore or Little Tunny's were hitting both the kite baits and outriggers. Tough battles ensued.

This Little Tunny was taken using the EOS 30 Fox reel
and the Tarpon Spincast rod on a bait suspended below a kite

Liz Harris with her Little Tunny which she released,
using the Permit Trek rod and Diablo 550 spinning reel

Then the right outrigger popped loose and next thing you know Dr. Mark is hooked up to a tailwalking Sailfish! I ran to the bow and threw the anchor buoy and we gave chase. The battle lasted 45 minutes before Mark got his Sailfish release. Great job Mark using the Permit Trek rod and Diablo 550 reel. Its really fun using this fairly light tackle on Sails and such.

With a big smile Mark uses the Permit Trek rod and Diablo 550
spinning reel to catch a 45lb Sailfish. 
Alligator Reef lighthouse in the background

Dr. Mark Harris proudly displays his Sailfish release flag
and his rod of choice. The Fox Permit Trek Travel rod
and Diablo 550 spinning reel

After getting back on the anchor some large King Mackerel showed up behind the boat stealing kite baits meant for another Sail. So I switched to a short wire trace and before long we had landed 2 out of about 10 bites of the 20lb King Mackerels. We stayed almost til sundown enjoying good action.

Some large King Mackerel showed up late in the day

Mark Harris and Skip with another beauty of a King Mackerel
caught on a Permit Trek rod and Diablo 550 spinning reel

After a day of rest Liz and Mark were back at it for day 3. This time I headed in the direction of Sandy Key on the western edges of Florida Bay. The moon had just passed full and we were experiencing a negative low tide phase. That channels all the fish off the flats into run-offs and channels which makes them very available to anglers. We released a dozen fat Redfish and 20 or so Seatrout before the tide slacked and the bite slowed.

Fishing the flats near Sandy Key we got into some hefty Redfish

Liz and Mark with a double of Seatrout and Redfish

Now I headed to a spot in the Gulf of Mexico to catch the beginning of the incoming tide. I was hoping to find a Cobia. But instead every cast produced a Jack Crevalle , Ladyfish and Spanish Mackerel. Also a lot of small King Macks too. With this kind of action it was the perfect setting to bring out the fly tackle.

The Spanish Mackerel are well suited for
fly tackle and a blast to catch

Liz caught her share of  Spanish Mackerel on the
Rage Ultralight - Diablo 350 combo while  Mark used the Flyrod

Mark had said he does some Trout fishing on fly and I was impressed with his flycasting abilities. I tie a version of a Clouser fly with bucktail and lead eyes which these fish just ate up. We went through a dozen of my flies as the toothy critters were chewing them up. Mark caught 5 species on the Fox 9 weight flyrod. We used the new Fox Cellmax reel with a slow sinking line. Mark told me that none of his friends will believe him when he tells them about the action we had.

Mark caught 5 species on the Fox 9 weight Flyrod
and the new Fox Cellmax flyreel

Mark caught  20 assorted fish on the
Fox 9 weight  travel flyrod and Cellmax flyreel

Bluefish on the fly while Liz uses the
Rage Ultralight - Diablo 350 combo

So just another great 3 days of fishing here in the Florida Keys.

The weather has been staying unseasonably warm and the fishing is really good. Get yourself set up with some Fox Trek travel rods and reels and get on over here.

Happy Holidays
Captain Skip Nielsen

Plenty of Action to be had in the backcountry

This past Tuesday and Wednesday long time friend Brian Goerges came down to Islamorada. Brian brought his brother in law, Eric, who has just moved to south Florida and hasn't done much fishing. Until now that is. On the first day we concentrated on action fishing. We started by fishing some shallow bomb craters in search of enough Mangrove Snapper for a tasty dinner. That was easy on this morning, also while working the hole we released several Gag Grouper, Seatrout and numerous Ladyfish.

Catching fish such as this Ladyfish on the
Rage Ultralight rod and Diablo 350 is great sport

Eric released a Gag Grouper on the
Rage Ultralight - Diablo 350 combo

 We moved out into the Gulf of Mexico proper, another 6 miles, and the Spanish Mackerel bite was off the chart. It got so active that we would cast a live Pilchard out and hold the rod tip high as we cranked in. This got the macks actually skyrocketing the bait into the air.  We used Bonefish Trek rods and Diablo 350 spinning reels and also Rage ultralight rods. Some Bluefish got into the mix as well.

Brian and Eric pose with one of 40 Spanish Mackerel
released this day

Bonefish Trek and Diablo 350 spinning reels are my
go-to tackle.
Brian with nice Mangrove Snapper 

As Eric was having a great time we set him up with a Fox boat rod and EOS 30 reel with a whole live mackerel for bait. In the next hour Eric and Brian released 5 Blacktip sharks. Jumping and spinning and making fast runs the Blacktips were fun. Wore out we headed in a  little early.

Eric was totally new to Keys fishing and
had quite a time with this Blacktip Shark

On day 2 we decided to show Eric a different twist so we headed to the mainland. We went all the way to Cape Sable and fished along Mangrove shorelines and creek mouths. We released many Redfish and Sheepshead and lost a very large Snook at the boat. That's fishing.

We got into a good bite of Redfish

Brian Goerges with a another nice Redfish

Eric was the Sheepshead king

Mangrove shorelines and creek mouths
were where the Redfish were living

So a great introduction to fishing in the Everglades backcountry for Eric.

The boys will be back in April to chase Tarpons.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Casey's First Sailfish Tournament

Wow, The last 2 days have been rough, Six to eight foot seas. There were times when I almost turned around and said it isn't fun and almost dangerous. But young Casey Blakey is a sailor and a very patient angler.

At the end of the 3 day tournament Casey had released 7 Sailfish which garnered him 2nd place in the junior division. The highpoint for us was on day 3 when Casey managed a double header of Sailfish totally unassisted. We were drifting in 20 to 25 knot winds gusting to 30. Downwind of the boat we flew a kite with 2 blue runners suspended off it for bait. On the upwind side we drifted live ballyhoo.

Bill and Casey with the
Permit Trek rods and Diablo 550 spinning reels

For kite rods we used the EOS 30 reels and the rod was the Tarpon Spincast. A wonderful combo that I use for many different fishing situations. The reel held over 500 meters of 12lb test monofilament. Thank goodness.

Casey used the EOS 30 conventional reel
paired with the Tarpon Spincast as his kite rod

We watched a Sail eat the short kite bait and as Casey reeled down the slack and hooked him another sail ate one of the ballyhoo on the spinning rod. Casey flipped the bail shut as we went ahead and was hooked up to his first ever double header. It got pretty exciting. Casey had to put the kite rod in the rod holder and do battle on the Permit Trek/Diablo 550 as it had less line capacity. Casey also loosened the drag on the EOS so the line would'nt break as the fish took over 350 meters of line. We managed to release both Sails and Casey did a heck of a job as a couple waves washed over the bow and thru the boat.

Casey won second place junior angler with 7 releases

So all in all we had a good tournament and young Casey can't wait for the next one.

Congratulations to Casey and all the winners.

Captain Skip Nielsen

Islamorada Sailfish Tourney report December 2, 2011

A quick story. Slow morning, Caught our Ballyhoo easily enough but no curent and sails were slow. We caught 3 Dolphin fish, a few boats were picking at the Sailfish.

At 1pm we hooked up a double header and because my main angler is 14 years old I had opted to use Permit Trek rods paired with 550 Diablos spooled with 12lb monofilament. Somehow we caught and released  both Sailfish. We were down to the knot on an empty spool but after a back and forth battle young Casey got his to the boat first then his dad Bill released his Sail soon after.

Dad Bill Blakey fighting 1 of a double header of Sailfish

Casey just about to release his Sailfish

In the next couple hours Casey caught and released 2 more Sails giving us 4 releases for the day.

The Permit Trek rods and DIablo reels worked great except we could have used another 100 meters of line. Should be using the Diablo 750's but Casey had his hands full with what we used.

There was quite a bite in the afternoon. Three boats have 7 releases . Four boats with 5 and us with 4. We are fishing a center console 30' Regulator. A good seaboat. Winds were 20+ knots out of the northeast and it was rough to say the least. I am including a picture of one of charter boats fishing. The high tower really helps spot the sails. But we are tough. No deckhands and towers on our boat Just a lot of heart.

Charterboat Catch 22 backing down on a Sailfish

We have 2 more days left. Hope we continue to catch fish.

For tournament standings go to http://www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com/

Captain Skip Nielsen